Swimming pool cleaning device



Dec. 13, 1966 H. M. ARNESON SWIMMING POOL CLEANING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1965 NVENTOR. HOWARLJ M. ARNESON W Mama-Sm A TTORWEYS SWIMMING POOL CLEANING DEVICE Filed March 8, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HOWARD M.ARNESON BY FIG. /2 ,3 W MW A TTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1966 H. M. ARNESON SWIMMING POOL CLEANING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 8, "1965 FIG. 7

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INVENTOR, HOWARD M. ARNESON imam w W# ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1966 H. M. ARNESON SWIMMING POOL CLEANING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 8, 1965 FIG. 9

INVENTOR HOWARD M. ARNESON W W WM FIG. ll

ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1966 H. M. ARNESON SWIMMING POOL CLEANING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 8, 1965 INVENTOR. HOWARD M ARNESON mmwd M1 MM FIG. IO

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,291,145 SWIMMING PUGL QLEANING DEVHCE Howard M. Arneson, '74 Woodland Ave, San Rafael, (Calif. Filed Mar. 8, B65, filer. No. 438,020 12 Claims. (Cl. 134-167) This invention relates to a swimming pool cleaning device and, more particularly, to devices such as shown in applicants co-pending patent application Serial No. 427,815, filed January 25, 1965, in which pendulant hoses are carried from a float with the hoses being supplied with high pressure water flow to allow them to move about in whip-like fashion and therein effect water et streams against the side and bottom walls of the pool for cleaning.

This invention is concerned with a mechanized float having motivating driving jets arranged to cause a sequence of controlled driving forces together with a rotary action imparted to the barrel of the float which provides predictable sequential float movement throughout the surface of the pool.

Other floats adapted to carry pend-ulant high pressure hoses for pool cleaning depend upon controlled lever arm movement or oscillations due to the inherent geometry of the float and its hose length for connection to the Water source.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a mobile float for carrying pendulant high pressure liquid dispensing hoses in which the float carries driving jets operable to provide the driving jet force from various angles and directions in controlled sequence to effect movement of the float in a sequential pattern, calculated to provide substantially complete pool coverage through out the various phases of operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pool float having a combination of jets for providing motivating force for the float and which also is formed With a power rotated rim adapted to engage the wall of the pool to thereby roll the float along the pool wall at selected phase intervals of its operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a completely self-controlled float for movement about various positions of a pool under the combination of jet flow and rotating rim movement, in which the rotating rim and the jet flow direction are controlled by the motivating force of the water supply to the device.

A feature and advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that the only power needed for operation is the water supply employed for the pool cleaning jet hoses, thereby eliminating need for electrical or other power devices in order to acquire float control.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mobile float in which two jets are arranged to point in substantially opposite directions and in which a valve is arranged to sequentially switch the water flow between the two jets to cause the float to move in opposite directions at selected intervals.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide one of the jets with a nozzle outlet with accompanying mechanism for rotation prescribing a conical track to thereby impart the jet force at progressively different angular positions. The angular directional changes of the rotating jet causes the float to move in directions determined by the instantaneous angular position of the jet, and thereby the movement of the jet functions to create directional changes in movement of the float.

Another object of this invention is to provide a float for carrying pendulant high pressure hoses in which the barrel of the float is arranged to rotate in a manner which will in certain cycles of operation frictionally engage the 3,29Ll4i5 Patented Dec. 13, 1956 side walls of the pool to cause the float to be carried along the sidewall, and which is further provided with a rotating jet power nozzle which is directed to provide jet force sequentially through a conical track and impart movement to the float which at certain phases tends to hold the float against the pool wall and in other phases tends to carry the float to the center of the pool in a predetermined path. An alternate jet is disposed to create motivating force in direct direction substantially opposite to the direction of flow from the rotating jet in which the second jet is alternatively valved to cause a reversal of float movement during selected phases of operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic motor within a float in combination with gear trains which function to accomplish all of the aforesaid operational functions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a float having a housing into which high pressure water is flowed and, upon direct engagement of water flow therein, an impeller is arranged to operate a gear train carried within the housing. The gear train is further arranged to operate valved openings to the housing having outlets to selected float moving jets and further providing additional outlets to the housing for carrying the pool cleaning high pressure hoses.

The aforesaid device has the feature and advantage of employing the water flow from the high pressure source for movement of all the control elements within a common housing or manifold so arranged as to distribute the water for the work function of cleaning through the hoses and the control function of power through the motivating jets.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an additional jet outlet disposed above the water line and operable to rotate in a pattern to obtain a horizontal jet stream which rotates through 360 of the float for spraying and cleaning the pool wall disposed above the water line.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in the float a depending shaft carrying a rotating wheel powered in synchronization with the drum of the float to allow frictional engagement with inwardly extending structural walls of the pool, such as, for example, steps and the like, which extend inwardly of the pool wall substantially below the pool water level, thus facilitating the guidance of the device throughout the peripheral surface of all sections of the pool.

A feature and advantage of the depending wheel lies in the fact that the device is maintained in sections of the pool wherein avoidance of entanglement in lower areas is insured.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a float which is adapted to follow the contours of the pool during one phase of operation and to make circular paths during alternate phases which carry the float past the center point of the pool and thence back to the side wall, and to maintain such sequence of operation in patterns which eventually insure the disposition of the float over substantially all the area of the pool.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In describing the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the float with the housing drum atfixed thereto.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the float.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a swimming pool with the float mounted therein showing the pendulant hoses attached.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the connection of the water flow and pump for the float.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing a suggested flow path for the float in operation.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the interior of said float showing the external housing for the control mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the housing taken from the left hand side, as viewed in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a similar view taken from the right hand side, as viewed in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the gear mechanism for the device; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing the valve structure for alternatively directing the jet to the two jet outlets.

Referring now to the drawings, the pool cleaner of the present invention comprises a main housing or float A having a bottom half section 20 and a top half section 21 which are rotatably mounted with respect to each other. Top half section 21 is provided with sufficient flotation to maintain float A in floating condition in the water in which a depending shaft 23 is arranged in depending condition in axial alignment with the two half sections 20 and 21. The bottom of shaft 23 is fitted with a wheel 25 having a rubber rim 26. Internally of housing A there is mounted the power unit B. The power unit B is fixedly mounted to the upper half section 21 by arms 28, 29, 30, and 31. Power unit B is provided with a central driving shaft 35 which penetrates the top of the upper casing 21 for free rotation through the casing. The bottom of shaft 35 projects downwardly to form the depending shaft 23 on its lower extremity. The lower half section 20 of housing A is fixedly mounted to shaft 35 by nuts 38. In this respect the lower half section 20 of float A is fixed to shaft 35 wherein the top half section 21 is affixed to the power unit B, so that rotation of shaft 35 will cause relative rotation of the lower half section 20 with respect to the upper half section 21. Power unit B is provided with a control jet nozzle 40 which penetrates through the upper half section 21 of the housing through aperture 41. A second or reverse jet nozzle 42 is also connected to power unit B and is arranged to extend through aperture 43 in a direction opposite to the direction of nozzle 40. A high pressure inlet hose 45 is arranged to pass through aperture 46 and is there connected by fitting 47 to power unit B. Two working hoses 49 and 50 are connected to the housing at ports 49A and 50A and pass through apertures 51 and 52 of the upper half section 21. Working hoses 49 and 50 are fitted at their ends with pressure or working nozzles 53 and 54. Hose 45 connects to a fitting 56 mounted on the side wall of the pool. A freely rotatable coupling 57 is arranged to interconnect the hose length at a position closely adjacent to the main float or housing A. Coupling 56 is supplied with high pressure through a pump system 58 which draws its water from the pools main drain at 60 and passes the water through the pump after normal filtration through the pools filtering system. By this means the jet water supply is recirculatory.

In operation, the high pressure water is flowed into the power unit B which causes the power unit to create several functions which include the rotation of shaft 35, the alternative emanation of water from jet 40 or jet 42, and, thirdly, causes jet 40, which is bent at an angle of approximately 20 off axial alignment, to rotate through 360", as indicated by arrow 62 in FIG. 1.

Together with the aforesaid motivating functions water is sprayed from the power unit B through the two working hoses 49 and 50 and from a spray nozzle 65 mounted on the top of shaft 35.

The two hoses 49 and 50 are of such a length that during operation they will spray in a direction generally towards main drain -60. The force of the water from the nozzles 53 and 54 causes the two hoses 49 and 50 to move about in whip-like fashion and in so doing creates a water jet force which reacts against the pool bottom and side walls. The function of the float is to position the working hoses 49 and 50 at various locations with respect to the pool, so that eventually the working nozzles 53 and 54 will work against virtually every section of the pool wall. This, by hydraulic force, causes the eventual complete cleaning of the pool. Nozzle 65, mounted on the top end of shaft 35, rotates with a spray which hydraulically reacts with the side wall of the pool just above the water line as housing A is travelled along the pool wall.

Motivation of housing A is caused on the one hand by the rotation of the bottom section 20 which is flanged at 68 and covered by a rubber gasket 70. The rotation of gasket 70 causes the housing, when nested againstthe pool wall, to move in wheel-like fashion. The other means for motivation is through the dominant jet 40 which provides a jet stream disposed to push the housing in a direction away from the hose 45. By this means the combination of jet 40 and the rotation of gasket 70 causes forward movement of the housing. Jet 40 is formed with a fitting bent at approximately 15-20" off normal and which is rotated during operation through 360, thus causing a jet outlet which eventually prescribes or tracks a conical jet stream providing a differential of directional propulsion. The instantaneous direction of jet 40 determines whether the housing will be driven against the pool wall (in which case the rim drive would be effective in causing forward motion) or, alternatively, when disposed in an opposite direction, will force the housing away from the wall and into a circular path towards the center of the pool. The device is so timed that during the phased period while the device is in the center of the pool the jet power is transferred to the opposite jet 42, which causes a reversal of jet force and the consequent return of the unit to the pool wall. Jet force is then again returned to the main drive jet 40 at or near the interval when the device returns to the pool wall and thence the process is repeated cyclically.

In order to obtain the aforesaid functions there is provided within power unit B an impeller which is located in the direct jet stream of the input fitting 47 leading from the water inlet hose 45. Impeller 80 is supported by bearings 81 and spring-tensioned by a ball 82 on the opposite end spring-biased by spring 83. The shaft for impeller 80 is formed with a worm gear 85 which rotates with the rotation of impeller 80. Work hose 50 is also connected to the impeller housing at 50A at the opposite end of the water cycle through the impeller. A worm drive gear 88 is mounted on shaft 35 and is driven by worm gear 85. Shaft 35 is turn is provided with a worm gear 90 which drives a worm drive gear 91 mounted on a shaft 92 which has on one end nozzle 42 and on the opposite end nozzle 40. The interior of shaft 92 is hollow with an abutment in the middle. The valving action for conversion of water between nozzles 40 and 42 occurs through a sleeve 94 mounted over shaft 92. The sleeve is provided with a first aperture 96 which extends approximately 320 to 340. The aperture or bore 95 for nozzle 40 is arranged to open to the opening 96 at 97. Therefore, while shaft 92 is in position with the opening 97 in coincidence with the aperture 96, there will be water flow from the housing out through nozzle 40. When the open end 97 is in coincidence with the abutment 99 forming the 20 to 40 closure, the water flow into nozzle 40 will be blocked. An aperture 100 is arranged opposite abutment 99 and in alignment with the bore 101 of nozzle 42 in which the opening to the bore 101 occurs in the side wall of shaft 92 at 102. Therefore, when shaft 92 is in a position where the opening 102 is coincident with opening 100 of sleeve 94, Water flow will occur through nozzle 42. It is noted that under these conditions water flow is blocked through nozzle 40.

Therefore, rotation of shaft 92 causes the valve shaft of water flow to either nozzle 40 or 42. The rotation of shaft 92 as before described occurs through the rotation of shaft 35 via worm gear 90 and worm drive gear 91 which in turn occurs through the rotation of the lmpeller with torque transfer occurring through worm gear 85 and worm drive gear 88.

The top half section of shaft 35 is formed with bore 109 having a side opening 110 through which water within power unit B is transferred to bore 109, The top of shaft 35 is provided with a spray nozzle fitting 65 so that water is continually sprayed through nozzle 65 wh ch, as can be seen, is rotated through 360 during operation of the device. The casing forming power unit B functions as a manifold for delivery of water from the water 1nlet hose 45 to work hoses 49 and 50 to the two nozzles 40 and 42 and to the spray nozzle 65, and also functions as the housing for the impeller drive which provides the power for the rotation of shaft 35 and thence the rotation of the bottom unit of housing A. In similar fashion, shaft causes the rotation of the spray head 65. At the same time power is also converted for the rotat on of nozzle through its 360 as well as the valving action causing water transfer from nozzle 40 to 42.

While the driving jet 40 is shown as having a bent nozzle, it is obvious that the structure of the tubing forming the jet could be linear, while the nozzle opening could be disposed at an angle in order to accomplish the same conical jet track during rotation of shaft 92.

It has been found that the ratio of approximately 120 seconds of water distribution from jet 40 to about 20 seconds of water distribution from jet 42 is adequate. This would require that shaft 92 rotate about one half revolution per minute. The rate of rotation can be controlled by adjusting valve 112 to either greater or less water flow. Ordinarily, the pressure through coupling 56 is constant by means of a control flow valve, so that alternatively pressure could be set at coupling or valve 56. Similarly, the flow to the work hoses 49 and 50 can be controlled by the two valves 114 and 115. It can thus be seen in operation that the device will go through its cycle of operation in an automatic and orderly pattern. The gearing and control arrangement afiorded within power unit B provides a timing of angle of et flow from the device within the conical jet stream, which causes the device to either be directed towards the wall of the pool or outwardly towards the center of the pool. Therefore, the reverse flow through the reverse et 42 causes the device to return to the pool wall for further travel.

The transfer of jet flow from the main driving et 4 0 to jet 42 occurs as the jet is pointing in an upward position and as it is being rotated in a direction towards the pool wall. Thus, when water flow is again directed back to the driving nozzle 40, the flow will be at an angle which in cooperation with the pull of power hose Wlll cause the housing to be driven against the pool wall.

While one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: I

1. A swimming pool cleaning device comprrslng a buoyant housing, means supplying high pressure fluid to said housing, pendulant hose means mounted on sa1d housing and in fluid communication with the high pressure fluid, a first fluid jet outlet on said housing drrected in a first direction, a second fluid jet outlet on sa d housing directed in a direction opposite said first et, and timing means alternating the fluid flow between sa1d first and said second jet outlets at predetermined different timed intervals to cause the fluid to flow from one of said jet outlets for a greater period of time than the other.

2. A swimming pool cleaning device comprising a buoyant housing, hose means connected to the pool wall and to said buoyant housing, means supplying high pressure water to said hose means, a first outlet jet on said housing directed to flow water from adjacent the point of connection of said hose means to said housing, second jet means on said housing directed to flow water in a direction opposite to the flow direction of said first jet, means alternately connecting the water flow between said first and second jet outlets, timing means connected to control said latter means to cause said first jet to be operative for substantially greater time intervals than said second jet means, and pendulant hose means mounted on said housing in fluid communication with the high pressure water.

3. A swimming pool cleaning device comprising a buoyant housing, supply hose means connected to the pool wall and to said housing at a first position, means providing high pressure water flow through said supply hose means to said housing, pendulant hose means mounted on said housing in fluid communication with the high pressure water, water jet means in fluid communication with the high pressure water pointing outwardly from a position proximate the first position on said housing and generally toward said supply hose, and means moving the angular position of said jet means to cause water flow in a conical track.

4. A swimming pool cleaning device comprising a buoyant housing, supply hose means connected to the pool wall and to said housing at a first position, means providing high pressure water flow through said supply hose means to said housing, pendulant hose means mounted on said housing in fluid communication with the high pressure water, water jet means in fluid communication with the high pressure water pointing outwardly from a position proximate the first position on said housing and generally toward said supply hose, means moving the angular position of said jet means to cause water flow in a conical track, second jet means mounted on said housing and in fluid communication with the high pressure water pointing in a direction opposite said first jet, and means to alternately supply said first and second jets with high pressure water at predetermined time intervals.

5. A swimming pool cleaning device comprising a buoyant housing, supply hose means connected to said housing at a first position and connected to the pool wall, means supplying high pressure water to said supply hose means, pendulant hose means mounted on said housing in fluid communication with the high pressure water, a horizontal circular rim mounted around the peripheral edge of said housing, means rotating said rim, jet means mounted on said housing in fluid communication with said water source positioned to emanate water from proximate said first position and outwardly therefrom, means to change the angle of water emanation from said jet means, second jet means mounted on a position opposite said first position, valve means to alternately connect said first and second jet means to said high pressure water, and timing means operable to control said valve means to proportion the connection of water flow from said first jet during a substantially greater time interval than the water flow from said second jet.

6. A swimming pool cleaning device of the type having a buoyant housing with a supply hose connected to the housing at a first position and to the pool wall, means to supply high pressure water to said hose, and pendulant hose means mounted on said housing in fluid communication with the high pressure water, the improvement comprising impeller means mounted within said housing in operable contact with said high pressure water flow from said supply hose, first valve outlet mounted within said housing proximate said first position, said jet means being disposed in an angular relation, means operable by said impeller means to rotate said jet means throughout 360, a second jet means operable to jet water in a direction generally opposite the direction of water flow from said first jet means, and valve means operable by said impeller means to alternatively connect the high pressure water to said second and said first jet means.

7. A swimming pool cleaning device of the type having a buoyant housing with a supply hose connected to the housing at a first position and to the pool wall, means to supply high pressure water to said hose, pendulant hose means mounted on said housing in fluid communication with the high pressure water, the improvement comprising impeller means mounted within said housing in operable contact with said high pressure water flow from said supply hose, a first valve outlet mounted within said housing proximate to said first position, said jet means being disposed in an angular relation, means operable by said impeller means to rotate said jet means throughout 360, a second jet means operable to jet water in a direction generally opposite the direction of water flow from said first jet means, valve means operable by said impeller means to alternatively connect the high pressure water to said second and said first jet means, a circular horizontal wheel carried by said housing having a rim extending beyond the outer limits of said housing, and means operable by said impeller to rotate said wheel.

8. Device according to claim 6 and having a spray jet disposed above said housing and connected to said impeller means to rotate throughout 360.

9. A swimming pool cleaning device of the type having a buoyant housing with a supply hose connected to the housing at a first position and to the pool wall, means to supply high pressure water to said supply hose, and pendulant hose means mounted on said housing in fluid communication with the high pressure water, the improvement comprising: a first jet nozzle mounted on said housing adjacent the first position, means to move said first jet means to a first orientation whereat the jet reacts against the drag of the hose to force the housing against the pool wall, and to a sec-nd orientation whereat the jet reacts against the drag of the hose, to force the housing against the hose away from the pool wall, means moving said jet sequentially from the first to the second orientation, rim means rotatably mounted on said housing, means to rotate said rim means to move said housing along the pool wall in a direction complementary to the movement by said jet means when in the first orientation, second jet means directed to provide a jet force toward said hose means, valve means operable to alternately switch the waterfiow between said first and second jet means, and timing means operable to cause said valve means to connect the water flow to the second jet during the interval said first jet is being moved between said second and said first orientations and to supply said water flow to said first jet means during the remainder of the cycle of operation.

10. A swimming pool cleaning device according to claim 9 and wherein said first jet means is arranged to rotate in an arcuate path throughout 360.

11. A swimming pool cleaning device according to claim 9 having a horizontal wheel member disposed in pendulant relation below said housing and in axial alignment with said rim means, and means rotating said wheel with said rim means.

12. A swimming pool cleaning device according to claim 9 and wherein the total portion of water distribution is approximately to said first jet means and 20% to said second jet means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1962 Pansini 134-111 6/1964 Anthony 134-167 

1. A SWIMMING POOL CLEANING DEVICE COMPRISING A BUOYANT HOUSING, MEANS SUPPLYING HIGH PRESSURE FLUID TO SAID HOUSING, PENDULANT HOSE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING AND IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE FLUID, A FIRST FLUID JET OUTLET ON SAID HOUSING DIRECTED IN A FIRST DIRECTION, A SECOND FLUID JET OUTLET ON SAID HOUSING DIRECTED IN A DIRECTED OPPOSITE SAID FIRST JET, AND TIMING MEANS ALTERNATING THE FLUID FLOW BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SAID SECOND JET OUTLETS AT PREDETERMINED DIFFERENT TIMED INTERVALS TO CAUSE THE FLUID TO FLOW FROM ONE OF SAID JET OUTLETS FOR A GREATER PERIOD OF TIME THAN THE OTHER. 